Monday 27 March 2017

A Buyer's Archive: February & March

 Since February 2015, inspired by Elise's Buyer's Archive project, I've been keeping a record of all my clothing purchases in an effort to track what works and what doesn't and - in theory - cut down on my spending. 

This time last year I was buying a lot of polka dots and stripes (some things never change) and picking up beautiful jewellery in Cape Town. My buys from February and March 2016 have varied in wardrobe longevity - the black polka dot top (February) and the Breton top (March), both from La Redoute, have predictably become staples and I get frequent wear from the jewellery, too. However, both the Closet dress and the Dorothy Perkins one have been sold on, as neither fitted me properly. 
Striped top, Primark £3.50
I regret to inform you that after a month or two of cold turkey, I've fallen off the stripes wagon once more. As always, I had oh-so-many justifications for why I needed this top (it being scoop-necked where the rest of mine are crew- or boat-neck being the main one) but ultimately it comes down to the old addiction rearing its head again.

Mustard snood, Fat Face £12
Did I really need another mustard scarf/snood? No. But when I found this in the Fat Face sale I couldn't resist.

Washed black Jamie jeans, Topshop £42
It's so rare that I pay full price for anything, but I was in dire need of a pair of jeans and these Jamie jeans aren't always reliably in stock in my size, so I grabbed a pair when I saw them. 
Polka dot dress, H&M £12.99
H&M now go up to a 20 online in their Divided range, which is great news for those with boobs like mine, which generally preclude squeezing into even their biggest size in store.

Scallop collar top, Tu via Oxfam £3.99
Because it's navy blue and it has a collar. It would've been rude to leave it, right?
Black jersey skater dress, Simply Be via charity shop £2.50
I had a great jersey skater dress from H&M, which went AWOL a year or so ago. This is a great replacement, handy for those days you don't really want to think about what to wear: with a chunky cardigan and boots, it makes for a comfortable and easy outfit.

Organic cotton striped t-shirt, Mango £6.99
I have a lack of short-sleeved stripe tees to wear with jeans once it warms up, and this one is the perfect combination of fitted and slouchy. That's my story, anyway, and I'm sticking to it.
Red Pour Moi bikini top, Next £14 (inc. £10 off code)
Red polka dot bikini bottoms, part of set from Amazon £12.99
This has the potential to be the most expensive bargain bikini ever. Let me explain: it's extremely rare to find a bikini top that's both big enough for my HH boobs and and provides enough support. It's even more rare to find one for less than 40 quid. So when I saw (and fell in love with) this rather vavavoom top by Pour Moi, I needed it in my life. And then obviously I wanted bottoms to match. And now obviously I want to go on a holiday during which I can wear said bikini, and have talked Thomas into taking a late-summer break in the sun. Hence, this supposedly cheap bikini will end up costing me a few hundred pounds (totally worth it though).

Looking at this collection of purchases, it seems they continue to stick to the themes well established within my wardrobe: polka dots, stripes, blue, mustard, collars. I'm starting to feel like there's a very fine line, though, between having a defined style and being stuck in a rut, and I worry I'm the latter, constantly buying the same things over and over. Hopefully the coming spring and summer will see me in a more experimental mood.

Total for February & March: £112.96

Total so far for 2017: £195.41

Total this time last year: £149.49

So it seems like my whole "spend less in 2017" resolution isn't going to plan. Oops.

Look out for the #buyersarchive hashtag on Twitter and Instagram to see the other bloggers taking part.

14 comments:

  1. Basically I love everything here and want it all. Except the snood but only because I can wear mustard :(

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    1. Grrrrrr.... Should say CAN'T wear mustard!

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    2. To be honest I'm not entirely sure it's the most flattering colour for me, either, but I love it so...!

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  2. Oh, some nice purchases! I purchased a two bikinis last year and worn neither. Oops. I like the idea of creating an excuse to wear them though - that's genius!
    I might have to see if my local Primark have that top, my stripe tops have seen better days.

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    1. Shhh, don't tell Thomas that's why I want to go on holiday!

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  3. Ooh, I LOVE what you bought! So many nice things (all up my street too!) - that Scallop top is a thing of dreams! I would TOTALLY wear that and pounce on it alla lion pouncing on Gazelle if I saw it in a charity shop!
    I do smirk everytime I see a new striped top in your Buyer's archive! But then I also own many stripes!!xx

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    1. Haha when I bought it I thought "Kenzie would LOVE this!"

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  4. I really must try on those Topshop Jeans for once and for all just to see what I think! I admit I see them and they always look so tiny they scare me. I can see that you obviously needed new striped tops, I believe I need to refresh my collection as well! ;-) Also love the scallop edged top, great find! And putting together the bikini on your own was smart, I never think to do that!

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    1. They look SO tiny in the shop (especially since I'm a 30" leg so they look both small of waist and v short) but they have so much stretch, it's amazing.

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  5. I have a black jersey skater dress almost identical to yours and you're so right, it's such an easy piece for work when I really haven't got the energy to start finding matching colours for a more patterned alternative! That scalloped vest is also super cute.

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    1. I'm v happy with those charity shop finds, it's rare to find something that both fits and fits into my wardrobe, and they do nicely on both fronts.

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  6. That little navy top with the collar is adorable and the bikini is gorgeous - I love 1950s style swimwear - it's mega flattering.

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  7. I may have gone and bought that polka dot bikini because of you ... Haha

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  8. Definitely a defined style rather than stuck in a rut! Love your buys as always. I tend to steer clear of red bikinis though as I'll inevitably end up lobster-coloured and it won't look good.

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